Short Summary

Youths wearing riot helmets set cars ablaze and fought running battles with police throughout Japan on Thursday (21 October) during demonstrations to mark international anti-war day.

Description

Youths wearing riot helmets set cars ablaze and fought running battles with police throughout Japan on Thursday (21 October) during demonstrations to mark international anti-war day.

The main issue of the demonstrations was left-wing opposition to the terms of a United States-Japan agreement returning the island of Okinawa to Japanese control next year. The agreement is now before Parliament for ratification.

In Tokyo, more than 30,000 trade unionists demonstrated in one part of the city while other, smaller student demonstrations in parks stretched police control to its limits. Throughout the city, demonstrators erected barricades and burned three cars before being dispersed by police.

SYNOPSIS: Over 30,000 trade unionists assembled in one of Tokyo's parks on Thursday before demonstrating to mark international anti-war day. Throughout Japan, students and unionists were protesting mainly about the issue of a United States-Japan agreement returning the island of Okinawa to Japanese control next year. The agreement, which is now before the Japanese Parliament for ratification, was the main issue for left-wing opposition.

Tokyo's police were stretched to their limit to control the demonstrations on Thursday. They made through searches of baggage before organised marches were allowed to proceed. In some parts of the city, police discovered petrol bombs and improvised lances.

The authorities, who appeared to be in control of the situation, said later that the annual demonstrations had produced much less violence than in previous years. Throughout the country, nearly 200 demonstrators were detained, and twelve policemen were injured in brief, sporadic clashes.